New 2010 Bikes for Under a Grand

Yep, you can buy a sweet Pinarello for under $1000. It’s not one of their high-zoot race machines, but it is a classic looking singlespeed with a fixed wheel/free hub option that screams Italian styling. The Lungavita is made of 6061 T6 aluminum and comes in color patterns that are a tribute to some of the first Pinarellos built in 1951. One nice final touch: the rims are painted white to give the bike a nice pop-factor.

Kona is more well-known for its trail and cyclocross options. But the Zing caught our eye as a great price point bike that is suited for entry-level racing, commuting, exercise, or all of the above. The Zing’s compact crankset takes the pain out of climbing and is well-suited for allowing entry-level and rec riders to find a gear they can spin comfortably in most groups. Kona borrowed some tech from its trail models—a sloping top tube—to give the Zing added room in the cockpit and increased standover clearance for getting on and off or stopping.

Schwinn calls the Coffee a classic retro, urban cruiser. I see the bike my dad rode when I was a kid. It was classic then, and classic now, and it’s also a lot more than a cruiser. The upright position, lightweight frame and rims, and ample rack space make the Coffee a ride that would also work great for the daily commute. The Schwinn 1955 Classic cantilever design on the brakes, a kickstand, and stylish steel fenders rounds out this deluxe cruiser/commuter/errand/fun bike package. Look for a full review of the Coffee in the Jan./Feb. issue of Bicycling.

Building on its success in the urban-commuter scene in its home state of California, Marin rolls out the Ignacio for 2010. This fixie/freewheel singlespeed has smooth lines, a retro color scheme and a solid parts spec. Rounding out the old-school look on the Ignacio are a pair of road pedals with steel toe clips and leather straps and a WTB saddle that Marin says is all Corinthian Leather.

If you've fallen for the big wheels and want a great bike from one of the most core companies in the biz, check out the Jubei 3 from Norco. The Vancouver-based MTB specialists have been doing 29ers for two years now even though they say 26-inch wheels still rule on the North Shore. The 2010 Jubei 3 is a hardtail 7005 aluminum frame with a hydroformed downtube. It is spec'd a 24-speed SRAM X-5 drivetrain and the RockShox Dart fork with Turn-Key lockout.

The Caad line of frames is almost as storied as the Cannondale brand itself. The bomber, double-butted 6061 aluminum used on the 8-6 is super durable, but hourglass-shaped seatstays add compliance to this stiff ride for comfort without sacrificing performance. Cannondale says the upright riding position is intended to deliver comfortable, predictable handling and straddle its Elite and Performance brand ride characteristics for the best of both worlds. Shimano Tiagra shifters and rear derailleur are a huge improvement over Shimano Sora making this price point offering from Cannondale an even better value.

The Transfer’s big brother the Fusion was a 2009 Bicycling Editors’ Choice nominee in the commuter category. The Transfer has much of what the Fusion offered at a slightly lower price. Shifting comes courtesy of Shimano’s internal Nexus 7-speed hub. A battery-powered taillight and a 2.4-watt headlight (powered by the front hub) provide maximum visibility for commuting at night. A solid built in rack with pannier mounts or trunk bag leaves plenty of room to leave the car behind and set out for errands or the office under pure pedal power.

If you are ready to make a commitment to riding the trails next year, but you still want a good bike to use for utility, check out GT’s Avalanche 1.0 Disc. The hardtail 6061 aluminum frame doesn’t lend itself to super-aggressive trail riding, but is more than enough to get you out on the trails to muddy up the tires. GT also has some very nice spec choices on the Avalanche 1.0—Shimano SLX rear derailleur, RockShox Tora 302 fork with lockout and rebound adjust, and burly Kenda Nevegal 2.1-inch tires—that make it a great mountain biking companion. A sidenote: The Avalanche is a great option for Clydesdales as GT offers it in a XXL.

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